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Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
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Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2007 BMW 335i Coupe by Cordell Koland Although I’ve still got a few significant automobiles left to test, the new BMW 3-Series Coupe looks like it will be at the top of the heap for the 2007 model year. The new coupe is an exceptional balance of styling, responsiveness and yes, even value―offering huge performance at a starting MSRP of $40,600. And surprisingly, I like the coupe as much for what it is not, as much as for what it is. Sorry for going negative so early in this column―must have watched too much election coverage, but there are two elements in the 3-Series coupe that are wonderful in their absence. The first is the absence of BMW’s iDrive system and the second is the apparent waning influence of Chris Bangle, the guy that BMW loyalists most love to hate. BMW iDrive controls the car’s navigation, temperature, audio, and entertainment functions through a complex computer menuing system composed of a joystick and a center console-mounted display screen. The problem is that you have to navigate through too many complex menus to make simple changes, which to some degree necessitates removing one’s eyes from the road and onto the display screen. The system has been in most new BMWs in the last five years or so. The 335i does not have it. Hurray! Mr. Bangle is an American by birth and education, who somehow ended up as head of design for BMW. His handiwork can be seen in the current 7-Series and 5-Series sedans as well as the Z4 roadster. Bangle with the blessing of the BMW board moved away from the company’s conservative design palate to more dynamic, avant guarde styling featuring such devices as raised trunk lines―the so-called Bangle Butt on the 740i―strong character lines and concave surfaces. In my experience, few BMW owners appreciate his work and there is even a web site with nearly 14,000 signatures devoted to getting Bangle fired. On the other hand, Bangle was recently promoted to chief of design for the entire BMW Group, including MINI and Rolls-Royce. And BMWs do continue to sell very well. It’s obvious I’m taken with the car’s styling―crisp and taut, and without excessive ornament or extraneous design gimmicks. The profile highlights the long hood and the graceful line that flows unbroken back to the rear deck. What’s really excited BMW adherents is the advent of an all-new engine. The ultra-smooth, inline six-cylinder engine is considered by many to be the very heart and soul of BMW and what makes the cars so special, despite the company’s success with larger V-8, V-10, and V-12 engines. The challenge has been to kick up the power in the inline six to compete with larger engines. BMW has solved this problem by applying twin-turbo technology, which raises horsepower to 300, yet retains a modest three-liter displacement. The power comes on instantly and there is no perceptible turbo lag when you pop the cork on extra fun. What’s really amazing about the engine is that is develops all 300 pounds feet of torque at only 1,400 rpms. The 335i will rocket from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 5.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 150 miles per hour. And as an added bonus, gas mileage seems quite reasonable for a very powerful automobile. Those with a lighter wallet or less appetite for power may opt for the 328i Coupe with the 230-horsepower inline six, without turbo assistance. BMW says that the 328i is even quicker than the outgoing top-of-the-line 330Ci Coupe. Our test car was outfitted with the manual transmission, which was perfect to control the car’s huge power output. At this point in automotive evolution, nobody makes a more responsive transmission/clutch system than BMW and the new coupe benefits greatly. The 3-Series Coupe features BMW’s traditional rear-wheel drive and a near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution, which are the foundation for superior vehicle dynamics. The double-pivot front suspension with spring struts made almost entirely of aluminum in combination with a five-link suspension at the rear, delivers world-class handling and responsiveness. The car seems to intuitively grasp the driver’s intention when pushed hard on a demanding road. If driving is your passion, you’ll find few automobiles delivering a more complete package at the 335i’s price point. Vehicle:
BMW 335i Coupe
Price as tested: Estimated $44,000 Engine: Type: Twin turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6 Horsepower: 300 @ 5,800 rpm Torque: 300 lbs.-ft. @ 1,400 rpm Fuel economy, manual transmission City 19 mpg Highway 29 mpg Curb Weight: 3,571lbs. Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
